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Some of the material in Compass is restricted to members of the Five College community. By logging in, you may be able to gain additional access to certain collections or items. If you have questions about access or logging in, please use the form on the Contact Page.

The YWCA of Saint Louis, Missouri has a long history of serving the women and girls of its community beginning before the formation of the YWCA of the U.S.A. Its administrative history starting from its application for affiliation is documented in constitutions, bylaws and historical summaries. Industrial department reports provide a look into the program for women employed in industry and may also include descriptions of the issues that are affecting their personal and work lives. As race relations become an increasingly visible and prominent issue, the YWCA of Saint Louis hosts an institute to study methods of building an inclusive community and fighting racism. The proceedings of the institute provide some background information building up to the institute and summarize the sessions and discussions. In order to make informed decisions regarding the association program as a whole and to evaluate association performance, the YWCA of Saint Louis utilizes studies. These studies assess the program's, community needs, staff and administration of the associations and make recommendations based on their findings. Additional materials concern the buildings, facilities, finances and leadership of the YWCA of Saint Louis.

Documents concerning the programs, administration and members of the YWCA of the U.S.A. associations in Saint Louis, Missouri. Letters with local, regional and national staff are often seeking or giving advice about association life and can offer a look into the challenges, management and daily issues that arise in local associations and administration handbooks demonstrate the structure and function of the administrative duties of local associations. Several reports and letters concern the branch system in Saint Louis and include notes on the formation of a committee to examine the member groups and branches. YWCA of Saint Louis branches include the Carondelet Branch, International Institute and Phyllis Wheatley Branch. Visitation reports for the two branches include summaries and assessments of branch programs and leadership. The Phyllis Wheatley Branch is a branch serving the community's African American women and girls. Its function, purpose and organization is established in its constitutions and bylaws and a building project is documented in correspondence and a program for a building dedication ceremony. The YWCA of Saint Louis International Institute functions to meet the often unique need of the community's immigrant women and their families. Correspondence and reports document the institute's program and services including its request to separate from the YWCA.

YWCA of Saint Louis, Missouri visitation reports and documents concerning the association's relationships. Visitation reports offer a glimpse into the program and activities of the association. Visiting regional and national secretaries observe and assess the daily activities of the association, its leadership and member groups. In addition, the reports comment on any challenges in program or leadership they may see. The cooperation between the YMCA and YWCA in Saint Louis is documented in letters and reports. These letters and reports comment on the nature and history of the relationships and share practices with other YWCA of the U.S.A. leaders. Additional documents include letters concerning Mary Sims' research into the original associations in Saint Louis. In her research for her next book, Ms. Sims learns that there are two original women's Christian associations in Saint Louis. One is associated with the American Committee and one with the International Board. There is record of both applying for affiliation with the YWCA of the U.S.A. and seeks clarification on the relationship between the organizations. In addition to letters there is a copy of a court decision regarding the two organizations.

As part of a network of social work agencies and community organizations the YWCA of the U.S.A. and its local associations are sometimes part of studies assessing such programs. As participants, organizers or interested parties the YWCA of the U.S.A. uses the results of the studies to maintain awareness of the communities they serve and inform program decisions. Studies of the Kansas City, Missouri social agencies include two studies of the Community Chest agencies and their relationships, a study from the National Urban League concerning African Americans in Kansas City, a National Urban League study of social work services and a community study of Kansas City's populations and services.

Documents concerning the affiliation, program, management and services of YWCA of the U.S.A. local associations in Mexico, Moberly and Saint Joseph, Missouri. In addition, there are several letters concerning the possibility of organizing an association in Neosho. Visitation reports assess and summarize the program, activities and staff of local associations. Visitations are made by regional or national field staff. Additional documents may include constitutions and bylaws, applications for affiliation and, in the case of Moberly, a record of its disaffiliation. As a larger association there are more extensive records concerning the Saint Joseph association and its Blue Triangle Branch, a branch for the community's African American girls and women. The branch's relationship to the Saint Joseph association and its purpose and functions are established in its constitution and bylaws and a completed residence survey provides a look into its residence services. Additional documents from the Saint Joseph association include a pamphlet celebrating its fifty year history, it's completed residence survey, a completed finance survey, annual reports for their industrial program, correspondence concerning their relationship to the YMCA, their standards study report and lists of staff and volunteers.

Supplementary materials to the 1933 program study of Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas including notes from interviews and materials collected prior to the study concerning the history and function of each part of the Kansas City YWCA programs.

In response to a national reorganization and recommendations from the Jones study of the YWCA of the U.S.A., Kansas CIty is selected to be the subject of a local association study. The detailed study conducted throughout the year 1933 examines the social, economic, political and cultural background of the city, surveys current association programs and makes recommendations based on its findings. The report of the study is presented in three volumes. The first section concerns the social and political climate, the second section concerns the economic background and the third section is the program assessment. The study is initiated at the request and with cooperation from the YWCA of Kansas City, Missouri and the YWCA of Kansas City, Kansas.

Documents concerning the YWCA of Kansas City, Missouri and its Paseo branch. Visitation reports summarize and assess the activities of local associations giving insight into their operations, successes and challenges. In order to help coordinate work with the local YMCA, a plan of cooperation is proposed outlining the cooperative operations between the two organizations. Additional correspondence and reports concerning the YWCA of Kansas City, Missouri includes correspondence with national and local leadership and a report on national and foreign support. To serve its African American girls and women the YWCA of Kansas City, Missouri operates the Paseo Branch. The branch's functions, purpose and relationship to the YWCA are established in its bylaws. Additional materials include pamphlets and correspondence concerning a building campaign and correspondence with local and national leaders.

Documents concerning the affiliation, program, management and services of YWCA of the U.S.A. local associations in Springfield and Webster Groves, Missouri and the request for organization of an association in Sikeston, Missouri. Visitation reports assess a local association's program and leadership making recommendations for further support or actions. The administrative and program history of the associations is documented in governing documents, association fact sheets and historical timelines. In addition, the Webster Groves materials include a letter and notes concerning its disaffiliation from the YWCA of the U.S.A.

Supplementary materials to the 1933 program study of Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas including responses to questionnaires, initial reports and environmentals scans and vital statistics of the community.

Log in for expanded search

Some of the material in Compass is restricted to members of the Five College community. By logging in, you may be able to gain additional access to certain collections or items. If you have questions about access or logging in, please use the form on the Contact Page.